Central Business District Enhancement Project Nears Completion as Final Phase of Works Commence

The George Town Revitalisation Initiative’s Central Business District Enhancement Phase One Project nears completion, as Seafarers Way is readied for final enhancement work.

As part of the Ministry of Infrastructure’s long-term initiative to revitalise central George Town, the project has focused on improving accessibility and walkability in the downtown area, including rezoning a section of Cardinall Avenue into a pedestrian-only street.

All major work is complete to Cardinall Avenue, which has also included enhancements to underground infrastructure, new street lighting and landscaping as well as the planned addition of new urban furniture.

As part of this last phase of the project, Seafarers Way will gain two pedestrian crossings that will connect the new Cardinall Avenue to Seafarers Way’s pocket park on the waterfront, as well as additional landscaping and the installation of a solar powered smart bench that will offer free wi-fi courtesy of SALT Technology.

“By reimagining the central business district as a whole, we are improving the overall experience through pedestrianised streets, shared cycleways and modern technology,” explains Colin Lumsden, George Town Manager and Revitalisation Initiative Coordinator. “The pedestrianisation of Grand Cayman’s most famous shopping street will help to create a highly attractive destination for visitors and a richer urban experience for residents.”

Over the weekend, a section of Seafarers Way was readied for enhancement and, over the coming weeks, it will be required to reduce the volume of vehicle traffic along the waterfront to accommodate the final works.

Provisions have been made to minimise the disruption to commuters as much as possible, and the anticipated traffic plan is as follows subject to favourable weather conditions:

• Seafarers Way between Fort Street and Goring Avenue will be open to one-way traffic from Thursday, October 27, 2022, at 4:00 PM to Thursday, November 10, 2022, at 4:00 PM. Local access will still be available.

• From 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM the road will be open to southbound traffic.

• From 7:00 PM to 4:00 PM, the road will be open to northbound traffic. Large trucks and container trailers travelling north during this time will be rerouted at Memorial Avenue to help mitigate congestion.

“This project has not been without its challenges, as we navigated through the supply chain issues, and scarcity and rising costs of construction materials, that were being experienced globally,” says Lumsden. “Thank you to our project partners for all their hard work and support, as well as the local businesses and general public for their patience and cooperation.”

The George Town Revitalisation Initiative is a multi-year government project led by the Ministry and designed to bring life and vibrancy back to Cayman’s capital. Robson Construction is leading the Central Business District Enhancement Project works with support from long-standing partners of the revitalisation initiative, the National Roads Authority, Caribbean Utilities Company and Apec Consulting Engineers Limited.

Follow George Town Revitalisation Initiative on Facebook (facebook.com/GTRevitalisation) and Instagram (instagram.com/gtrevitalisation/) for more information on the initiative and its projects.